Where did my Baby go??

18 months old??  already approaching?? can't be?  I've had to count over and over again using fingers and toes to make sure!  Where have the last 18 months gone??  Feels like a real blur, did I get to savor those baby moments?  I'm sure I did, or at least tried, but so desperately trying to keep up with an ever enquiring and imagination exploding 3.5 year old and a, "I want to be 3 years old too" 1 year old! I've tried to take photos to capture those special moments, but you can never really capture them taking a self shot or by the time you bring out the camera you've missed the moment....those sweet moments are all thankfully stored up here (pointing to my head).....hopefully I they'll be stored there there for a  LONG time!

The past few Tuesdays while Emma is at school I've been taking Addison to music class.  It's Music with Mar, we call it, Mr Froggy class, Emma loved this class, so I was pretty sure Addi would enjoy it too!  And she does - judging from her not wanting to walk out the class 15 minutes into it (she did this at her first few dance classes, she stood at the door banging her hands against the door wanting to leave!) She participates well, listens well, it's as though she'd been going there for a while - and I do wonder if she possibly remembers the songs from when she was in my tummy??  We did go alot while I was pregnant...hmmm...It's been great one on one time with Addi, doing something special with just her.

We were early for class one day and it gave me the opportunity to grab a few shots of my little miss cheeky....boy is she cheeky and really knows what she wants.  But I love it! She knows how to bring on the tears quick or pout, which gets old quick, but just love it when she places her head on my shoulder and wraps her arms around my neck and her little fingers rub my neck as I console her, I really try savor those moments as much as I can, because before I know it she'll be 18 and will not want me doing that to me at all!

To my little 18 month, you are my world, I love you to the moon and back times that by a million, You amaze me everyday with how much you understand, your confidence, your silliness, you copy your sister to no avail and catching on quick to the bad behaviour scares me! 
You're learning your animals sounds (cow, sheep, goat, horse, monkey, duck, bird, chicken, pig, chameleon, owl and wolf), you try sing the ABC song and other nursery rhyme songs along with Emma, you attempt to talk copying the sounds of the words Emma speaks, you know your shapes apparently (I asked for the triangle shape and you passed it to me)  I hate to bring out the crayons, chalk and paints because I know you'll put them in your mouth or paint the walls.  You really bring a whole new ball game, but it's all very exciting.  I haven't given you , or it feels as though I haven't given you half of the attention I had given to Emma at your age yet when our neighbor laid picture cards (which I've hardly shown you) and she asked where what was, you got every single one correct....you are learning so fast and I'm blown away continuously!  I'm glad you have your big sister to look up to and learn from - she's a great BIG SISTER, please give her a break at times, with all your grabbing and pulling she's having nightmares about it!

Happy 18 months Addi my little stinker, moaner, so many nicknames for this little one!

Pics of Addison

concentration

curious

I don't know who you are expression



I'm not listening to mommy expression

Happy, smiley Addi

Farm Day

Either no posts or so many in a few days...

Today we went to the NC State Farm Days - a free event held by the North Carolina State University.
Mostly for preschoolers and elementary kids, to learn about the farm and the animals.  All the kids got to touch the animals, climb in the tractors and ended off with a free icecream made locally on campus, yummy stuff!  Who knew a University would make their own icecream, amazing the things you find out about where you live.

Emma has been asking to touch a bunny again, so when I found out about this event I had to take her.  She really loved it and you can tell by the smiles in every photo!  I love her love for animals.
Addi was all game to see and touch, but the minute they approached her she'd run for mommy, so maybe not as fearless as I thought :)

The girls got to see Turkeys, Rabbits, Pigs, Sheep, Goats, Cows and calves, Horses with their Foals, I love it when these type of events are available for the kids to see.

Mission Accomplished!!!

Man, kids really keep you on your toes.

Over Easter we had my cousin Kerwin, his wife Janine and daughter Ruby visit.  Such a great time had by all, good bonding time and catch up time!  We ate way too much!  Good times, good memories!  Always good to have family around and the house full.

Easter Sunday

So Emma and Ruby had a blast together.  Obviously had their challenging moments, but we'd think there was something wrong with them if they didn't.
Playing dress up and going on hikes in their bikinis and backpacks on their backs, going on a plane ride with Kerwin as pilot and a blow up seat as their seat which they'd bounce up and down on (bad turbulance), playing in the tent I made and kicking Addi out saying, "No babies allowed!"  Eventually Ruby allowed babies, but Emma still stuck to the original rule!  Oh boy!  Playing Doctor Doctor, with Janine and I as patients.....just a few of the fun things they got up to. 

We went to a few parks and museums, but with the way they played at home outings weren't really necessary, so great watching and hearing them together.  Always interesting to watch Ruby and see whats in store with Emma as she approaches 4!

So why I titled this post as "Mission Accomplished!!!"  One night we were playing board games, Candyland being one of them.  When I packed away the pieces the green and yellow game piece were missing.  I found the green one hiding behind our giraffe, but could not find the yellow one.  I asked the girls if they knew where it was, but neither acknowledged me.  So I left it, although it really bugged me that a piece was missing.  So the following day I asked Ruby where it was, she chose to run away (huge giveaway that they were up to no good with this game piece) when I asked Emma and she said she didn't know, she did mention something about tying the skipping rope around it and throwing it around...so I thought okay this piece has been thrown away or something, or may be down an air vent. 

So the past few days while packing away mixed up toys and pieces of games and tidying house I kept my eyes open for this yellow piece.  I've checked every handbag, every toybox... nothing.  Tonight I asked Emma again if she knew where this marker was, trying to trick her into telling me.  She told me again about the skipping rope, so I asked where the skipping rope was, she said in the toybox, I asked if the piece would be there, she said no it's downstairs.  I eventually asked Emma to show me where this piece was.  She asked for the flashlight and we went on an adventure to find this frigging yellow piece.  She did say they put it somewhere where we would not find it, but still shone the flashlight around and told me to look through the toys in the toybox (I did find something else i was looking for, so was worth looking in again), under the dresser, under the bookshelf.....basically sending me on a wild goose chase!   Eventually Emma says we must go downstairs, I said no, as I thought it was a delay tactic before bed time and she was leading me nowhere, not giving up on the hiding place !  I knew this piece was somewhere!  So after tucking Emma into bed I looked once again downstairs.....I start looking down the vents in the living room, turning my vases upside down, just incase they hid it in there, and lo and behold I look behind one of our bookshelves and there it was!!!  Mission Accomplished!

I went upstairs and showed Emma my find, her response..."Why did you find it? You weren't meant to find it"  I felt bad that I found it, but she didn't get upset about it!

A little scary that these girls can keep a secret at such a young age!  Should we be worried??
Up to no good but rather amusing!

And They Hugged....

Don't you just love it when you catch a glimpse of the love shared between your children?
Just the other day I caught a glimpse and it brought such a smile to my face.

Now as you may know Emma is not a hugger, she used to be, but then almost got strangled by her best friend Ella who was a big hugger and scared the life out of Emma, so whether it was that or just that she doesn't like it, who knows....

I know Emma loves Addi and genuinely cares for her, but the times she shouts at Addi and wants her out the way, it makes you wonder....

My cousin, his wife and daugther, flew back to California and we got home from the airport. Emma was about to go potty and Addi followed.  Emma usually shouts to tell me to take Addi away, as she wants privacy when she goes to potty.  So I heard some "No Addi, No!!!!!!"  and I look to see Addi is holding onto Emma's waist and just not letting go.  I look at this scenario and I smile realizing what Addi was doing.  Addi was trying to hug Emma.  I told this to Emma, that Addi was in fact hugging her and not pulling or tugging at her, when Emma realized this she calmed down and then embraced Addi too.  It was the sweetest thing.  Of course I had to ask them to redo this a couple of times to capture footage as proof they really do love each other.  It was great to see Emma encouraging Addi to hug her.

After that, Emma went to potty, I asked if I had to take Addi out the bathroom so she could have her privacy, Emma said, "No, she can stay" and closed the door.  The two of them were laughing in the bathroom and next thing I hear Emma talking to Addi as she was helping to wash and dry Addi's hands.  They both walk out with hug smiles, Emma guiding Addi along - Just Beautiful.  As Addi dashed off to the living room, I pulled Emma aside and just thanked her for being such a great big sister and to remind her how much Addi really loves her and looks up to her, to which Emma responded, "You're welcome mom!"  Love and Politeness!!!  I was thrilled!!!

The afternoon carried on like this, Emma helping Addi on the couch, Addi fell and Emma ran to help her up!  I was thinking, what did these girls drink? 
Usually we have more screaming because Addi is always getting in the way of Emma.....so these few hours of no screaming and shouting was like running through an open field of daisies!

We might have Ruby to thank for this, as Ruby would show lots of love and patience toward Addison during her visit.

Still a few years till they really understand just how important they are to each other and how they need each other - there is hope!